Chintsa Runners' Samuel Luqongo talks to Lil Shaun

Greetings and welcome to another sunny blog post where we talk to Sam Luqongo, our local Chintsa running hero who has just brought back a bronze medal from the gruelling Two Oceans Marathon held annually in Cape Town.  Shaun talked to Sam last week to find out more about the Running Club, better know as the Chintsa Runners - a project started by Steve Avidon through Friends of Chintsa and a initiative that is receiving huge local support.  Below is the interview -

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Odwa Shaun (left) interviews Samuel Luqongo

Odwa Shaun: Sam, tell us about the champ of the Chintsa Running Club, Steven 'Buttercup' Avidon: why did he start the running club, when, and how was it formed?

Sam Luqongo:  Steve 'Buttercup' dreamed of seeing the youth of Chintsa achieving big dreams and staying away from any type of drugs and alcohol.  The running club was formed last year 2013.  I was doing my own running thing, and Steve heard that there is a runner in Chintsa East and his name is Samuel, that’s when he decided to meet with me and came with the idea of starting a running club.  Steve is an intelligent, smart, good listener and a good at communicating with others. He made time in trying to help the children of Chintsa East community to fulfil their dreams.

OS:  How many joined or are part of Chintsa Runners currently?

SL:  There are plus minus 20 members of the Running Club all together but there’s only 10 members who are running competitions at the moment.

OS:  What are their ages, the boys and girls?

SL:  The youngest is 15 years of age and the oldest is 30 years of age.

OS:  Where do you train, what routes does the club run, and what distances do you train?

SL:  They start from the Chintsa East village, running passing Chefane mouth and back to Chintsa East were they started. Its 8 kilometres of run.

OS: What part do you play in the Running Club, Samuel?

SL:  I am in charge of training, and of finding more people who are interested in running.  I am the stand-in mentor role while Steve is away, but Steve co-ordinates with Friends of Chintsa administration for all our organisational needs.

OS:  Tell us about the Nelson Mandela Memorial run in December last year?

SL:  The race started from Tea in the Trees, passed through Buccaneers, over Chintsa East dam, and ended up at the starting point.

OS:  With the funds raised at the Nelson Mandela Memorial run, what has the running club been able to achieve so far this year?

SL:  We have managed to buy T-shirts for the runners and printed them “I run for Chintsa”. We have also been able to pay for the registration fees for several big races, as well as transport to the racing points.  Chintsa Runners also made sure that I, as the main mentor figure, was kitted out with proper running equipment, for e.g. running energy supplements for Samuel, backpack and good quality running shoes - all so that I can perform better, and ultimately enter bigger races and take the name of Chintsa, and Friends of Chintsa, further afield.

Sam poses next to the Big Green E-Machine

OS:  What races have the younger members of Chintsa Runners taken part in this year?

SL:  Tomato Trot, Surfers' Challenge, and The Rhino Run.

OS:  And what support has the Chintsa community shown to the Running Club so far?

SL:  There was great support shown firstly at the Nelson Mandela Memorial Run last year, that we talked about above.  So many people came out for that, and lots of parents allowed their children to join the run too.  They also supported us by having stationed water points along the route, which was great!  We have also had a lot of running gear donations come through Friends of Chintsa for the young runners, such as very new brand name trainers, running vests, water bottles, socks etc.  For this we are very grateful, and we encourage the community to continue to send running gear our way as it is put to good use!  Thank you everyone. 

OS:  What are the aims of the Running Club, and what do the members of the running club want to achieve?

SL:  The idea is to see all of our runners being televised!  Yes, we want to create more awareness around our sport, and try to reach the Iron Man run

OS:  What can you tell us about some of the young runners?

SL:  Yamkela is a good listener and very active.  Sandile is a good runner who likes to challenge himself in a long distance run - he is also on the Unstressed Surf School program.  Sive is a strong young boy and he excels in the 5 kilometres run.  Sisipho is our fast runner, and a good listener.

OS:  Tell us about yourself, Sam - what year where you born and where do you come from?

SL:  I was born in 1983 at Chintsa East, in a family of 6.  I'm the fourth child!

OS:  Where did you attend school?

SL:  I did my lower grades at Chintsa East Primary School, and then I went to Byletts High School.

OS:  Do you have a family of your own?

SL:  I'm not married, but I have a 2 year old son who is going to take a place in the Happy Run Race!

OS:  How did you get into running?

SL:  I like running more than any sport because running keeps me healthy and fit.  I'm also interested in soccer and boxing though.

OS:  What races did you run last year? 

SL:  Surfers' Challenge, Nelson Mandela Memorial Run, Chintsa West to Kei Mouth marathon, Masters marathon, Bonkolo Marathon, Legends marathon, Crawfords Beach Run and Haga Haga Tree Run.

OS:  And this year?

SL:  Tomato Trot, Penny Pinchers race, Masters half marathon, Rhino Run, Jumbo Beach To Beach, and the Two Oceans Marathon.

OS:  Wow!  That's a lot of running!  What are your personal dreams?

SL:  I want to win the Two Oceans Marathon, and to have a chance of running in any of the overseas countries. This year I fulfilled one of my dreams: of getting into and running in the Two Oceans Marathon - this is one of South Africa's greatest races!

OS:  Thank you Sam!

SL:  My pleasure, and thanks to Steve and Ingrid for all their time and energy.  Also thank you to the Chintsa Community for all your good positive assistance and wishes to us!